AS a member of the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, I find it difficult to digest that in its latest Journal “Your Trust”, it is tying to deal with the forthcoming winter under-capacity at the University Hospital of North Durham.
The trust says that the 120,000 accident and emergency (A&E) patients that it treats each year is over the department’s capacity.
I find this hard to understand.
Why close the A&E at Bishop Auckland in that case? A decision that was criticised by me and many other local people at the time.
I attended the University Hospital of North Durham two years ago, when the paths were icebound, and the A&E services were finding it difficult to cope.
I would ask the NHS Trust to evaluate the South West Durham areas again and, if unable to re-open the Bishop Auckland unit, then a sensible alternative A&E unit is considered.
Ben Ord, Spennymoor.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel